SWINDON Panthers missed out on the regular season title after losing both their contests with Cardiff.

The Welsh outfit opened the scoring on their own ice in the 16th minute through Slovakian Peter Holecko, and the same man doubled the lead two minutes later.

It was a similar story in the second period as another Slovakian, Anton Rimko, made it 3-0 in the 17th minute before another goal arrived two minutes later.

The Panthers worked tirelessly to try and break down the Titans in the final 20 minutes but their efforts were to no avail as the match ended 4-0.

In the return clash at the Link Centre an explosive opening period saw Alan Bishop, Bart Widawski and Ian Richards net, before Neil Rouse crashed in a fourth with four minutes remaining.

Rimko hit back for Cardiff but Scott Gough hit home an inch-perfect pass from Rouse to send Swindon into the break 5-1 up.

However, after the resumption Panthers sat back and a quickfire hat-trick for Holecko and another from Rimko levelled the scores in a dramatic turnaround.

The third period started badly for the hosts when Bishop was forced off with a head injury.

Although Gary Loveday, Widawski and Janis Asenjevs found the net for Panthers, three further markers for Cardiff saw the scores levelled at 8-8.

In extra time, a golden goal from Rimko saw the Welsh side take the win, leaving Swindon needing to win their last two games to secure second spot.

Panthers’ next home game is at home to Solent Scorpions on Sunday (face-off 5.15pm).

n Panthers warmed up for their Cardiff showdowns by crushing depleted Peterborough 17-2 at the Link Centre.

Gough got the hosts off to a positive start after two minutes and Richards and Bishop made it 3-0 after seven minutes.

It became clear that the contest was little more than a training game when Gough struck again and Rouse, Asenjevs and Paul O’Donovan took the advantage to 7-0.

The second period started in a similar vein as the first, with goals coming courtesy of Dave Lovejoy, Gough and Asenjevs inside five minutes.

Swindon then took their foot off the gas, allowing the visitors a couple of quick goals, but Richards, Rouse and Gough then hit back to make the lead 13-2 heading into the third.

The goals kept coming in the final period, with Richards and Asenjevs completing their hat-tricks.

Play slowed as the clock wound down but there was still time for Gough and Asenjevs to round off an emphatic 17-2 triumph with a further goal apiece.